IDENTIFYING LUNAR METEORITES

W\Specimens of the Moon are identified by highly specific geological, mineralogical, chemical and radiation signatures. The most common minerals found on Earth’s surface are not found on the Moon, and the minerals that comprise the Moon’s crust are limited and readily identifiable. Lunar rocks also contain gases originating from the solar winds with isotope ratios that are markedly different than the same gases found on Earth. In addition, suspected lunar meteorites are matched with lunar samples returned to Earth by the Apollo missions for further verification.